Scott Hart has been named the new sunflower product manager for Garst Seed Company.  Hart will retain his responsibilities as soybean product manager, making him a Garst product expert on oil seed crops.

As sunflower product manager, Hart will be the marketing lead involved in working with the research and development teams to help bring to market sunflower products that meet customer needs. In addition, Hart will work with the sales team to help identify and develop new opportunities in the bird seed, oil, dehulling, and confection markets.

Hart said he looks forward to working with agronomists, sales staff, and Garst’s sister company, Interstate Seeds, based in Fargo, ND. to promote Garst’s quality sunflower product line. Garst’s market area will be powered by Interstate Brand Seeds leading research program to offer some of the best sunflower genetics in the world.

“I am very pleased to assume this position and look forward to working with Interstate and Garst personnel to promote our quality sunflower products,” said Hart. “Our research and development team has developed great products and we currently offer traditional oil, NuSun, and confections. Many new technology advances are opening up with sunflowers that will provide some exciting tools for producers.

This is a great time to be working in the sunflower industry.”

Steve Klein, director of sales and marketing for Garst, is excited to have Hart in position to promote the Garst sunflower line and says Scott’s extensive knowledge and experience with oil seed products made him an excellent candidate for the position.

“Scott brings a great knowledge base of oil seed products to this position. We are excited to have him take over these responsibilities and know that his expertise in the oil seed industry will benefit our customers,” said Klein.

Hart is a graduate of Iowa State University where he earned a degree in Agronomy. He is a Certified Professional Agronomist (CPAg) and Certified Crop Advisor (CCA).

With corporate and research headquarters in Slater, Iowa, Garst, along with PSA Genetics, AgriPro Wheat and Interstate Seeds are key components in Advanta’s worldwide seed technology network that includes research, development and breeding facilities in 14 U.S. states and in 26 countries around the globe. Together, Advanta is one of the top five seed companies in the world.